Shanghai Pudong (PVG)Smoking guide

Smoking at Shanghai Pudong: outdoor areas only, but some are after security.

Pudong has had no indoor smoking rooms since October 2016, under Shanghai's public smoking rules. Instead, it has designated outdoor smoking areas at terminal entrances and near selected boarding gates, some of them airside.

This guide shows where to find them in T1, T2, S1 and S2, whether transit passengers can smoke without leaving the secure area, and the rules for vapes and lighters.

Indoors

Not allowed

Terminals, lounges, restaurants, toilets

Outdoors

Designated areas

Entrances and selected gate terraces

Oct 2016All indoor smoking rooms at Pudong and Hongqiao closed.

Smoking at Pudong at a Glance

The key facts in one table

Airport code PVG – Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Main terminals T1 and T2
Satellite terminals S1 and S2
Indoor smoking rooms Closed since October 2016
Smoking policy Designated outdoor areas only
Airside smoking Selected outdoor locations
Landside smoking Outdoor points outside terminal buildings
Domestic departures Outdoor points near selected remote gates
International departures Outdoor points near selected boarding areas
E-cigarettes Same indoor restrictions
On board Strictly prohibited

Quick answer

Yes, you can smoke at Pudong, but only in designated outdoor areas. Some are before security, others in restricted departure areas after security.

Don't look for indoor rooms: they closed permanently in 2016. Follow the smoking-area signs or ask staff.

Understanding Pudong's Smoking Policy

Strict rules for tobacco and e-cigarettes

Under the Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Smoking Control in Public Places, smoking is banned in indoor public places, workplaces and public transport, and the rules cover e-cigarettes too. So you cannot smoke anywhere inside Pudong's terminals, including restaurants, shops, lounges, corridors and toilets.

Indoor rooms: permanently closed

Before October 2016, passengers could use indoor smoking rooms at both Shanghai airports. Under the stricter rules, they were all closed.

Outdoor areas: still available

Designated outdoor points sit outside entrances and near remote boarding areas and terraces; some can be reached without leaving the secure zone, which helps connecting passengers.

Where to Smoke in T1, T2, S1 and S2

Pick your terminal

International · Gates 213–216

Airside

Type: Outdoor area, remote-gate waiting zone

Best for: International passengers at the remote boarding area

Domestic · Gates 200–203

Airside

Type: Outdoor area, remote-gate waiting zone

Best for: Domestic flights from the remote boarding area

Landside · Departure Gates 1 and 14, arrivals

Landside

Type: Outdoor points outside the terminal

Best for: Before check-in, or meeting someone

Good to know: If you are departing internationally, don't leave the secure area to smoke unless you have time to redo security and immigration.

International · Gates 68–69

Airside

Type: Outdoor terrace near the international VIP lounge area

Best for: International passengers departing from T2

Domestic · Gates 218–221

Airside

Type: Outdoor point, remote-gate waiting area

Best for: Domestic remote-stand flights

Domestic · Gates 222–224

Airside

Type: Older notices list an outdoor point here

Best for: Confirm it is open before relying on it

Landside · Departure Gates 20 and 29, Arrivals Gate 27

Landside

Type: Outdoor points by the entrances

Best for: Before security; use the marked ashtray areas

Good to know: Gates 68–69 is one of the most useful spots for international travellers already through security.

International · Gates 551–552

Airside

Type: Outdoor terrace

Best for: International departures from S1

Domestic · Gates H501–502

Airside

Type: Designated point

Best for: Domestic departures from S1

Good to know: S1 belongs to T1. Satellite locations are based on reports, so confirm with staff.

International · Gates 651–652

Airside

Type: Outdoor terrace

Best for: International departures from S2

Domestic · Gates H601–602

Airside

Type: Designated point

Best for: Domestic departures from S2

Good to know: S2 belongs to T2. Satellite locations are based on reports, so confirm with staff.

Before or After Security?

Landside vs airside smoking areas

Landside · before security

For passengers not yet checked in, arrivals and visitors

T1 Outside departure Gate 1
T1 Outside departure Gate 14
T1 Arrivals entrance area
T2 Outside departure Gate 20
T2 Outside departure Gate 29
T2 Arrivals entrance area

Airside · after security

Useful for connecting passengers

T1 Gates 200–203 Domestic
T1 Gates 213–216 International
T2 Gates 218–221 Domestic
T2 Gates 68–69 terrace International
S1 Gates 551–552 International
S1 Gates H501–502 Domestic
S2 Gates 651–652 International
S2 Gates H601–602 Domestic
Not every point suits every passenger: some are tied to remote boarding areas, so check your gate and current access.

Can Transit Passengers Smoke?

Yes, at airside points, depending on your route

Staying in the international transfer area? You may reach an airside smoking point there. Don't exit through immigration unless you can enter China and have time to come back through.

You usually complete immigration and arrival procedures first; then, after security, you may use the domestic smoking points.

Complete international departure procedures, then check whether your area has an accessible outdoor point.

The terminals are separate buildings and their smoking areas are not connected; moving between them may mean leaving the secure area. Confirm the transfer procedure first.

Can You Vape at Pudong?

E-cigarettes follow the same indoor rules

Not inside the terminal

Shanghai's rules explicitly include e-cigarettes, so do not use these indoors, including restaurants, lounges, toilets and boarding corridors:

Disposable vapesRechargeable vapesE-cigarettesHeated tobacco devices

Outdoors, follow the signs; if e-cigarettes aren't clearly allowed at a point, don't use them there.

Carrying a vape on your flight

  • Never pack e-cigarettes in checked baggage
  • Follow airline and aviation rules for cabin bags
  • Never use or charge them on board

Lighters and Matches

China's rules are strict

China generally does not allow passengers to carry lighters or matches on flights, in the cabin or in checked baggage. Don't count on replacing a confiscated lighter at the smoking area; some points may have fixed lighters, but this is not guaranteed.

Check the latest airline and airport rules before you travel
Don't take lighters or matches through security
Never leave smoking materials unattended

Tips for Smokers at Pudong

Smooth breaks, no missed flights

Check your terminal first

T1, T2, S1 and S2 all have different smoking points.

Use designated outdoor areas

Never near entrances, restaurants, toilets or seating, even if others do.

Watch your boarding time

Head back early, especially for remote stands and satellite gates.

Take your valuables

Keep passport, boarding pass and phone with you.

Ask for directions

Ask at an information desk or call the airport hotline: 021-96990.

Pudong Smoking Areas: Summary

All 12 outdoor points

Location Terminal Type Highlight
Departure entrance Gate 1 T1 Landside Before security
Departure entrance Gate 14 T1 Landside For departing passengers
Gates 200–203 T1 Airside Domestic remote gates
Gates 213–216 T1 Airside International remote gates
Departure entrance Gate 20 T2 Landside Before security
Departure entrance Gate 29 T2 Landside For departing passengers
Gates 218–221 T2 Airside Domestic remote gates
Gates 68–69 T2 Airside International terrace
Gates 551–552 S1 Airside International satellite
Gates H501–502 S1 Airside Domestic satellite
Gates 651–652 S2 Airside International satellite
Gates H601–602 S2 Airside Domestic satellite

Final Tips

Pudong is friendlier to smokers than many mainland Chinese airports because it has outdoor points airside. Remember there are no indoor smoking rooms: in T1 head for Gates 200–203 or 213–216, in T2 for Gates 218–221 or the terrace by Gates 68–69, and in S1 and S2 confirm access first. Plan around your boarding time and only use authorised areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, but only in designated outdoor areas. Smoking is prohibited inside the terminals.

No. They were all closed in October 2016; use the designated outdoor areas.

Yes. Outdoor areas in restricted departure zones include Gates 200–203 and 213–216 in T1, and Gates 218–221 and 68–69 in T2.

Near domestic Gates 200–203 and international Gates 213–216, plus outdoor areas outside the entrances.

Near domestic Gates 218–221 and on the international terrace near Gates 68–69, plus landside points outside the terminal.

Reported locations are Gates 551–552 and H501–502 in S1, and Gates 651–652 and H601–602 in S2. Confirm access with staff.

Yes, if you can reach an airside outdoor area in your transfer zone, without passing immigration again.

No. E-cigarettes fall under Shanghai's indoor smoking rules.

No. Lounges are indoor public spaces; use an authorised outdoor point.

Access may depend on terminal operations and boarding-area access, so check with staff if you are travelling overnight.

Yes, at the designated outdoor points near the entrances; use the marked ashtray areas.